A Silver Brand — page 131: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

met, + A SILVER BRAND. — 123 dreamy countenance that faced him, went off into an elo- quent, romantic, Claude Melnotte sort of rhapsody. It was a paradise, indeed, that he described. Serena’s eyes shone with soft and lambent light; her white fingers clasped themselves in a sort of ecstasy. She drew one long, quivering sigh as he paused. _* Oh, how lovely, how lovely:! Eden itself could not outvie the picture you have drawn. And it isin my native © land,” she murmured. ‘And mine. We cannot feel ourselves strangers since our hearts both yearn to the same dear land. You must return to it,” he said, eagerly. “Some day, perhaps—who knows? Oh, if Lina’s fairy heritage might be there!” she returned. And then remem- bering her errand, she started and looked around her hastily.. os “See, your eloquent words have beguiled my thoughts. You are not aiming for the landing place. You are losing time and labor, and they are waiting for me, I fear.” “I confess Iam not anxious toland. It is so pleasant to talk of home to a sympathetic ear,” he ventured. “But you must hasten to setme ashore. I must not make them wait. And I am to return again to-night.” “Alone?” he asked, quickly. “Yes, there is nothing to harm me. I think I see some one down upon the shore. You are only playing with the — oars.” | Upon which he bent himself more heartily to his work, and the keel was soon grating upon the sand of the island shore. She sprang out lightly, and waited a moment to see the anchor thrown out. : ‘‘“You have earned your passage, sir, and made me your debtor besides. I thank you very much. I shall never forget the picture, and I shall know your island when I see it. Adieu.” “And may I not even know your name?” he asked, rue- fully. | , She had already turned her steps into the path, but she paused to smile softly and reply : “You may know a little of it, certainly. It is Serena.” “Serena!” repeated the gentleman; ‘‘it is the only name that befits you, though I should never have guessed it, but it is aname that I shall never forget. I have the honor to thank you for your boat, and your company. Good-evening, Serena, my countrywoman !” : Eomicboo “Ss